Fish canning machine



sePt- 24, 1935 w. E. RooNEY FISH CANNING MACHINE Filed April 16, 19:52

4 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 24, 1935. w. E. RooNEY 2,015,089

FISH CANNING MACHINE Filed April 16, 19321 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 MM5/v TDR Sept. 24, 1935. w, E, ROONEY I 2,015,089

FISH CANNING MACHINE Filed April 16, 1952 4 Sheng-sheet s 17:1 g- 6 v Z5! i SePt- 24, 1935. w. E. RooNEY 2,015,089

y FISH CANNING MACHINE Filed April 16,v 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Sept. 24, 1935 UNITED STATES v aoiaoss Frsn cANNiNG MACHINE Walter E. Rooney, Bellingham, Wash., assignor to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application April 16, 1932, Serial No. 605,716

17 Claims.

handled in an unbroken mass from which a charge of sh of predetermined quantity is iirst segregated, then brought into cylindrical form and filled into a can.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus for lling predetermined amounts of sh into cans by conveying the fish mass through a. swinging tunnel and out through a discharge opening in segregated quantities which are brought into cylindrical can form prior to introduction into the can all of the operations being performed in an automatic and rapid manner.

An important object of the invention is the provision of an oscillating tunnel for an apparatus of the character described which has a discharge opening brought into and moved in registration with successive measuring chambers carried on a rotating turret so that given charges of iish are segregated from the ilsh in the tunnel as a charge is positioned into each measuring chamber.

A further important object of the invention is the provision of improved devices for moving an oscillating fish feeding tunnel so as to register with an open measuring chamber carried in a rotary path of travel and for controlling the position, shape and size of the discharge opening of the tunnel to insure proper registration with the chamber.

An important object of the invention is the provision of an improved oscillating feeding tunnel for cut fish wherein the lmass of iish after moving through the tunnel is discharged out through a cc-ntrolled discharge opening in predetermined amounts which are cut olf and separated from the fish mass when filled into moving measuring chambers.

Numerous other objects of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure `1 is a schematic plan sectional View of an apparatus embodying the present invention being taken substantially along the line I--l in Fig. 6, parts being broken away;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional detail taken substantially along the broken line 2-2 in Fig. l;

Figs. 3 and 4 are fragmentary views of substantially what is shown in Fig. 1, these views illustrating different feeding positions;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail of a part of the fish cutting or segregating devices, substantially as would appear if viewed from a position indicated by the line 5-5 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional de- 5 tail through the oscillating tunnel, being taken substantially along the broken line 6-6 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged composite sectional detail taken substantially along the broken line 1-1 in Fig. 4; l0

Figs. 8 and 9 are perspective views of parts of certain devices which are located in the tunnel and which control the position, shape and size of the tunnels discharge opening;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective l5 View of the discharge end of the oscillating tunnel', such as would appear if viewed from a position indicated by the arrow marked by the numeral 10 in Fig. 3; and

Fig. 11 is a sectional detail taken substantially 20 along the line I I-l I in"Fig. 7.

The apparatus used to exemplify the present invention discloses only sufficient parts of the principal working elements of va machine to illus# trate the steps in the operation of receiving cut 2 fish and placing a formed charge of predetermined quantity into a can. This machine is similar in some respects to the apparatus of my joint invention with Samuel S. Jacobs, as disclosed in our pending application, led in the United States Patent Oice May 31, 1930, as Serial No. 458,804.

The present invention is particularly directed to the simplification of steps in the filling operation by which cut fish is first passed through a transfer tunnel or tunnel section and thence into 3 an oscillating feeding tunnel or tunnel section of practically the same cross-sectional dimensions. The fish mass is moved through the feeding tunnel by fork instrumentalities which enter from one side of the tunnel and urge the sh forward and out through a discharge opening which is controlled in shape and size by a sliding section of the tunnel wall.

The tunnelpdischarge opening is adapted to register throughout a short period of movement with each of a plurality of measuring chambers carried on a rotating turret. Each measuring chamber is of variable capacity being at maximum capacity when fully open and at minimum capacity when closed. The opening and closing of each chamber is brought about by the sliding of one of the end walls of the chamber as it is conveyed around its circular path of travel by the rotating turret.

The chamber is at its maximum capacity when Cil it passes the discharge opening of the oscillating feeding tunnel and at such passage the mouth of the tunnel moves in register with the open chamber while the fish mass is crowded toward the chamber. As the chamber becomes filled, the mass of fish extending into the measuring chamber is caused to move against an oscillating knife which severs the charge filling the chamber from the fish mass. The return oscillation of the tunnel moves it back into position for registration with the next or adjacent chamber.

'I'he isolated charge in the chamber is fully compressed into can filling shape as the chamber closes and this compressed charge is then moved by a. plunger into a positioned can carried by the turret. The can filled with fish is then discharged from the apparatus. The rotation of the turret with its measuring chambers is continuous and each chamber is automatically filled with fish as it moves along with the discharge opening of the oscillating feeding tunnel.

The fish is preferably received in cut form being the proper height for filling into the can and these cut pieces may be brought into the apparatus on any suitable conveyor 2| (Fig. l). This conveyor introduces the cut fish in standing vertical position through an opening 22 formed in the side wall of a tunnel having transfer tunnel section 23. One end of the tunnel may be closed by a lattice through which suitable feeding devices may operate for advancing the fish through this end of the tunnel. At the opposite end of the tunnel section, the fish pass through an unrestricted opening or mouth 24 which communicates with an inlet or receiving end 25 of an oscillating section or tunnel 26.

The oscillating tunnel section comprises a horizontal floor 3| (Figs. 1, 6 and 10) and the upper surface of this movable floor is in the same plane as the stationary floor of the transfer tunnel 23 and fish pass freely from the tunnel 23 into the tunnel 26. The feeding tunnel 26 is also formed with vertical side Walls 32, 33 and a plate 34 bolted to the side walls provides a roof for the tunnel.

The floor 3| is mounted upon a head 35 of a vertical pivot post 36 which is mounted for oscillation within a bearing 31 formed in a. frame 36 of the machine. Bushings 39 are preferably interposed between the post and its bearing and a collar 4| is held on the lower end of the shaft by a bolt 42. The tunnel 26 oscillates on the vertical center of the post 36 as an axis, this producing a hinging movement between the tunnel sections.

Lugs 45 project downwardly from the floor 3| of the tunnel and carry a pin 46 on which is rotatably mounted a support roller 41. This roller provides an anti-frictional support for the movable end of the tunnel and rides upon a shelf 48 formed in the frame 38. The floor 3| is rounded at 5| in a curve which has the vertical center of the post 36 as a center and this rounded end moves within a concave pocket 52 formed in the fioor of the tunnel 23.

In a similar manner the roof plate 34 is formed with a rounded end 53 which movably fits within a pocket 54 formed in the tunnel 23. These socket joints permit oscillation of the feeding tunnel 26 while maintaining the continuity of surface of the floor and ceiling walls of the two tunnels. Plates 55 hinged at 56 to the inside walls of the discharge end of the transfer tunnel 23 extend inside of the side walls 32, 33 of the tunnel 26 and prevent side openings between the tunnel sections during the oscillating movement.

The wall 33 of the tunnel 26 is extended laterally as at 6| (Figs. l and 10) to provide a cylindrical front wall section for the tunnel, the curvature of this wall having the axis of the post 36 as a center. The wall 6| slidably fits within a 5 concave cylindrical wall 62 formed as an extension to a turret casing 63 which partially surrounds the measuring chambers as will be hereinafter fully described. During the oscillation of the feeding tunnel 26, the wall 6| moves freely 10 and maintains a close fit within the wall 62.

The free or open end of the tunnel 26 adjacent the extension 6| provides a discharge opening 66 through which the mass of fish moves from the oscillating tunnel at periodic intervals for the l5 filling operation. A triangular member 1| is carried by the tunnel section 26 and stands vertically at one side of the discharge opening, being secured top and bottom to the parts 34, 3|. The position of this triangular member at the 20 mouth of the tunnel assists in restricting the discharge opening so that the fish at no time have any tendency of falling out through the discharge opening, an inner face 12 of the member 1| being disposed at a slight angle to the tunnel side walls 25 32, 33 for this purpose.

An outer face 13 of the member 1| is in circular alignment with, or in other words has the same circular configuration as, .the outer surface of the extension 6|. tunnel section this face slides along a curved extension 14 projecting from the opposite side of the tunnel mouth in the same manner as the extension 62, being also formed as an integral part of the casing 63. The member 1| during the tun- 35 nel oscillation moves freely and maintains a close fit within the wall 14.

The fish mass is fed through the oscillating tunnel 26 by advancing fork instrumentalities which operate through one side of the tunnel be- 40 ing located between the wall 32 and the triangular member 1|. These instrumentalities comprise a fork member 15 (Figs. 1, 6 and 7) bolted to a slide block 16. The prongs of the fork slide within slots cut through a vertical shaft 11 (Fig. 6) car- 45 ried in a sleeve 18 formed as a part of a wall 19 of an oscillating cylindrical segment 6|.

The wall 19 provides the cylindrical surface for this segment and closely fits and slides back and forth in concave wall pockets 85, 66 during oscil- 50 lation of the segment. 'I'hese pockets 85, 66 are formed respectively in the wall 32 and in the member 1| This segment face 19, in the gap between the ends of the parts 32, 1|, forms a part of the'side of the tunnel and directly contacts 55 the fish mass.

The oscillating member 6| has upper and lower horizontal walls 9|, 92 (Fig. 7) between which the block 16 has sliding movement within radial slots 93. The wall 9| is projected upwardly in a 60 stud which pivotally moves in a bearing 96 formed in the plate 34 of the tunnel 26. The wall 92 is bolted to a disc 91 which projects downwardly in a stud 98 which has oscillating movement within a. bearing 99 formed in the floor 3| 65 of the tunnel. The studs 95, 96 are in vertical alignment and the member 6| oscillates on this vertical axis to feed the fish through the tunnel section.

The member 6| is oscillated by crank connec- 70 tion with the stud 98 as best illustrated in Figs.

3, 4, 6 and 7. For this purpose the stud 98 carries an arm which is secured by a bolt |62 threadedly engaging the end Aof the stud. The arm ||I| is pivoted at |93 to a block |64 which is 75 During oscillation of the 30' i ilxed connectionbetween the crank=|08 and the arm but in the event of a jamming or lmproper feeding of fish, provision is made for allowing the full movement of the rod with the crank without moving the arm. At such abnormaltime the rodl86 slides'within the aperture v|||5 in the block |04the results of such movement being illustrated in Fig. 6. A nut ||5 is mounted on and pinned to the end of the rod |86 outside ofthe block |84 andwhen the rod slides this -nut leaves the block as shown. A spring ||6 is mounted on the rod to provide a yielding connection between the parts, one end of the spring engaging a collar ||1 slideably mounted upon the rod and which under the action of the spring rests against the block |04. The opposite end of the spring ||6 engages a collar ||8 which is threadedly secured to the rod great a mass of ilsh were fed, the crank ||l8 would continue its movement and the rod |86 sliding through theK block |84 would only compress the spring without damage to the machine.- By means of the connection just described, the member 6| is caused to oscillate back and forth and this is done while it maintains a close t within the tunnel walls.

Oscillation of the member 8| on its backward -stroke carries the shaft 11 toward the entrance end of the tunnel 26. The forks 15 at such time are back and out of the tunnel, their in and out movement being cam controlled. Block 16 is provided with a pair of spaced lugs |2I (Fig. '1) which hold a pivot pin |22 on which is mounted the bifurcated end of a shackle |23 threadedly secured to a connecting rod |24.

The opposite end of the connecting rod is secured within a block |25 (see also Figs. 1 and 3) whichis pivoted at |26 to one end of an arm |21 keyed to a rock shaft |28 mounted in any suitable manner. The arm |21 carries a cam roller |29 -which operates within a groove |3|v formed in a face cam |32. The cam |32 is mounted upon a shaft |33 which may be continually rotated in any suitable manner as by connection with a gear |34 secured to the shaft. .Just before movement of the oscillating member 8| on its forward stroke (counterclockwise Fig. l) the ends of the forks 15 are pushed out through the slots in the shaft, into the tunnel and through the mass of fish. The forks then remain in extended iish engaging position during the oscillation of the member 8|, the forks being bodily moved toward the discharge opening of the tunnel. Fig. l illustrates the position of these parts just after the forward oscillating stroke has kbegun and Fig. 3 showsv the parts at the end of the stroke. This combined movement of the forks and oscillating member crowds the sh along the tunnel and moves a. part of it out through the discharge opening at each operating cycle.

and the opposite end of the link is pivotally connected at |42 to support arms |43 projected (liltwardly from the tunnel wall 32 (see also Fig.

Oscillation of the tunnel 26 is effected by a cam control best illustrated in Fig. l. For this purpose the floor 3| of the tunnel 26 is projected laterally in a. lug |45 which carries a boss |46 providing pivotal connection for a shackle |41 connected to one end of a connecting rod |48. The other end of the rod threadedly engages a block |48 pivoted at |5| to the end of a lever |52 secured to a rcckshaft |53. The lever |52 carries a cam roller |54 which operates in a cam groove |55 formed in a face cam |56 secured to a shaft |51.- This shaft |51 and cam |55 may be rotated in any suitable manner as by application of power to a gear |58 secured to the shaft. Both of the shafts |53, |51 may be suitably mounted in the frame of the apparatus.

The shape and position of the discharge opening 66 of the tunnel 26 varies as the tunnel oscillates and results from the change of position of a sliding plate |65 (Ffgs. l, 3, 4, 8, l0 and 1l). This plate slides alongside of the wall 33, which is recessed'at IBG-to accommodate it. A retaining plate |61 (see also Fig. 9) is bolted to the inner face of the wall 33 and is inside of the plate |65 which slideably engages it. The plate |61 forms the inner or ilsh contact'ng vside wall for the tunnel throughout substantially its length.

This plate |61 is also formed with anv elongated boss section |68 where it connects with the wall 33. The sliding plate |55 is formed with an elongated slot |69 (Figs. '7, 8 and 11). the walls of which enclose the boss |68, the slot being only slightly Wider than the boss but considerably longer so as to maintain correct alignment of the plate |65 during its longitudinal y movementat the same time preventing excessive which a cam roller |83 is rotatably mounted.

Oscillation of the tunnel carries this cam roller back and forth within a cam groove |84 Aformed in the upper face of a cam block |85 held in stationary position within the frame 38. This action effects a sliding movement of the plate |65 and projects and retracts its forward end for a purpose hereinafter described. The plate |65 may be accurately positioned relative to the tunnel wall by shifting of the pin |18 on its own axis within the boss |11 and after such adjustment the sliding movements of the plate automatically follows under the control of the cam.

'I'he turret 65 (Fig. 1) is mounted upon a vertical shaft |9| and is formed with an upper frame |92 (see also Fig. 6) and a lower frame |99. The shaft |9| is suitably mounted for rotation within the frame 96 of the`machine and is continually revolved with its turret members |92, |99. 'Ihe turret section' |92-is formed with a cylindrical wall |99 which is spaced inwardly from the casing wall 69' and located within this space are the measuring chambers Afor receiving the predetermined'charges of fish.

'Ihese measuring chambers are designated by the numeral |95 and each chamber has a stationary section |96 whch has its inner face shaped to provide a cylindrical wall |91 which opens out toward a chamber I 95 formed between the walls 69, |94.

kA sliding block 20| is located in each of these chambers |99 and provides a movable part for the measuring chamber |95. The inner face of each block 20| is shaped as a cylindrical wall 202 which corresponds in its size and contour to the wall |91 of the stationary member |96.

When in closed position these walls |91, 202 cooperate to'form asubstantially cylindrical pocket as the measuring chamber. Fish passes from the tunnel 26 as it is fed through the discharge opening 69 and into these measuring chambers and the cylindrical walls |91, 202'act as molds to compress and shape a segregated charge into proper form for introduction into a can as will now be explained.

Each sliding block 20| is moved away from and toward its companion fixed wall |96 by an arm 209 engaging within a slot 204 formed in the block 20|, each larm moving within a slot 205 cut through the cylindrical wall |99. The arm 209 is mounted on an oscillating shaft 206 which is moved back and forth to effect the proper opening and closing of the measuring chamber. The arms 209 are or may be operated as disclosed in the above mentioned application 458,804, the means for such purpose not being claimed herein.

Such movement of the block 20| is automatically made during the continuous rotation of the turret 65. As a measuring chamber |95 appreaches the discharge end of the tunnel 26, its block 20| moves away from the fixed wall |96. As the measuring chamber is presented to the discharge opening it is open and at its greatest capacity. It is then that the tunnel 26 is at one end of its oscillating stroke and the plate |65 is in its extended position as illustrated in Fig. 1.

The plate |65 is provided with an enlarged head 2| l, an inner wall 2|2 cooperating with the wall 12 of the member 1| and forming a restricted opening for the discharge end of the tunnel which is equal to the opening in the aligned measuring chamber when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1. In this extended position of the plate |55, its head 2| is adjacent the outer edge of the advancing wall |96 of the measuring chamber and sh passing over the surface 2| is guided into the open measuring chamber. f

It is the forks 15 which are moving the mass of fish forward and out through the discharge opening and into the open measuring chamber as the latter moves on its circular path of travel with the revolving turret. It will be understood that the plate |65 under its controlled sliding movement bridges the space between the end of the tunnel 26 and the turret 65 irrespective of the relative positions of tunnel and turret.

During this combined rotative movement of the measuring chamber and the oscillating movement of the tunnel, the'parts shift from the position illustrated in Fig. -1 to a position illustrated in Fig. 3. When the latter position is reached 'the block 29| begins to approach the opposite chamber wall |91 and the capacity of the chamber be' ginstodiminishasthenshmassisbrough 5 v in the forward end of the tunnel. As the tunnel 26 reaches the end of its forward oscillation 15 this segregation of the charge 2 I5 is complete and immediately following the compression of the charge is also completed.

The wall 69 retains the charge of fish in the measuring chamber during its further movement from the cutting position. It will be observed that the measuring chamber when closed is not a. complete cylinder, its outer wall being shortened along the curve of the wall 69. This flat side assists in positioning the fish charge into the can by allowing the air to escape as the charge is inserted. This feature will be more fully considered in connection with the description of filling which is to follow.

The cutter 2 I9 may be mounted upon an oscil- 30 lating shaft 22| (Figs. 4 and 5) which carries a pinion 222 meshing with a segmental rack 229 formed on a lever 224 mounted for oscillation on a shaft 225. The lever 224 is rocked back and forth in any suitable manner, as by connection with a rod 226 pivoted at' 221 to the lever. The cutter shaft 22| may be suitably journaled in the frame of the machine.

The fully formed fish charge 2|5 within the closed measuring chamber |95 is directly beneath 40 a vertically movable plunger 29| (Figs. 1 and 6) which has sliding movement within the turret wall |94. This plunger is used in the filling operation to discharge the fish charge 2|5 from its chamber while it is being carried around with the turret, said plunger being operated by means shown in my said co-pending application and not claimed herein.

Open top cans 295 (Fig. 1) are introduced into filling position within the turret by a conveyor 296 operating between spaced guide rails 291 which guide the cans into a starwheel 299. This starwheel may be mounted for continual rotation with a vertically disposed shaft 299 driven in any suitable manner. The starwheel is provided with a series of spaced can pockets 24| and each can as it is brought into the machine passes into one of these pockets.

The rotating starwheel carries each engaged can 295 around a circular path of travel, slicing it over a table 242 and depositing it upon a plunger 245 (Fig. 6) carried within a bracket 246 bolted to the turret frame |99. Each plunger 245 is in axial alignment and located beneath a can receiving pocket formed in the turret frame by semicircular recesses 241, (see also Fig. 1). The can. while in this turret pocket, is held against outward displacement by an .outer guide rail 249 secured to the frame 95. A stationary circular plate 249 is also disposed centrally of the turret shaft |9| 70- n this action carries the plunger with the can into a position in proper time to receive a charge of fish from the measuring chamber above.

A stationary plate 26| (Fig. 6) secured to the stationary frame 38 provides a bottom orfloor for each measuring chamber during lling and the fish in the chamber is slid overthis plate. After the chamber has been brought into its closed position and the charge of fish has beenfully formed the chamber moves to a position beyond the end of the plate 26| and then the fish charge is unsupported from the bottom. At this time a can 235 is being raised until its open end is brought substantially against the frame of the measuring chamber. At the same time the guide member 249 is forcing the can outwardly (from the position shown in Fig. 6) while still within the pocket members 241 and sliding it over the upper surface of the plunger 245 until its center is brought into axial alignment with the center of the fish charge in the measuring chamber. The can and fish are then in position for the filling operation.

In filling the plunger 23| (Figs. 1 and 6) descends pushing thesh charge 2|5 downwardly from the measuring chamber into the positioned can. A curved vent knife 262 is preferably associated with each plunger and is moved downwardly ahead of it. The vent knife is grooved along one face in a vertical channel 263 through which the air from the can may escape, as the iish charge enters.

A scraper plate 264 is preferably secured tothe frame of the turret section |94 and its end extends into the channel 263 to prevent crowding of the fish into the channel and to strip it clean as the knife is withdrawn. The at side of the fish charge 2|5 which comes opposite the vent knife also allows for escape of air and permits a quicker lling operation. i

Discharge of. the fish 2|5 from the measuring chamber leaves it empty and ready for the next charge when it returns to its chamber lling position. In the meantime the filled can continues around its circular path of travel with the turret until it reaches a curved wall 21| formed in the plate 249. This wail sweeps the can from the turret and positions it onto a discharge runway 212 where it passes into a pocket 213 of a rotating starwheel 214. This starwheel is mounted upon the upper end of a shaft 215 which may be suitably rotated in any suitable manner. Continual rotation of the starwheel sweeps the can along the discharge runway and out of the machine, a guide rail 216 associated with the runway directing its course of travel.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim: i

1. In a fish canning machine, the combination, of a horizontal feeding tunnel having a fixed outer part provided with a discharge opening at one end and an oscillatory part having a floor for supporting the fish, a turret having 'a vertical axis and rotatively disposed adjacent the dise charge end of said tunnel, al plurality of measuring chambers carried by said turret, means for bodily 5 moving the oscillatory part of said tunnel in time f with the movement of a measuring chamber to position its discharge opening inregistration with a said measuring chamber, and instrumentalities carried on said tunnel for advancing cut fish l0 through said tunnel and out of said discharge opening and into said measuring chamber while the tunnel opening andthe chamber are in registration.

2. In a flsh canning machine, the combination 15 of a horizontal feeding tunnel having a fixed outer part and an oscillatory inner part having a iioor instrumentalities foradvancing cutflsh through said tunnelv and out of said discharge opening and into said measuring chamber while the tunnel opening and the chamber are in registration, and means for closing said chambers on the liish therein. i

3 In a Sh Canning machine, the combinationV Y of. a horizontal feeding tunnel having a xed outer part and an oscillatory part having a floor for supporting the sh and a discharge opening at one end, a turret rotatively disposed on a vertical axis adjacent the discharge end of said tunnel, a plurality of measuring chambers carried by said turret, means for bodily movingthe oscillatory part of said tunnel in time with the movement of a measuring chamber to position its discharge opening in 4registration with a said measuring chamber, instrumentalities for advancing cut fish through said tunnel and out of said discharge opening and into said measuring chamber while the tunnel opening and the chamber are in registration, and a cutter for severing a charge of fish from the remaining fish in said tunnel when said measuring chamber is filled.

` 4. In a fish canning machine, the combination of a horizontal feeding tunnel having a fixed outer part and an oscillatory part having a floor for supporting the fish and a discharge opening at one end, a turret rotatively disposed on a vertical axis adjacent the discharge end of said tunnel, a plurality of measuring chambers carried by said turret, feeding devices for conveying empty cans into said turret, means for bodily moving the oscillatory part of said tunnel in time with the movement of a measuring chamber to position its discharge opening in registration with a said measuring chamber, instrumentalities for advancing cut fish through said tunnel and out of said discharge opening and into said measuring chamber while the tunnel yopening and the chamber are in registration, and

means for transferring the charge of fish of a said measuring chamber into a said can while it is being carried by said turret.

for bodily moving said tunnel toposition its discharge opening in registration with a said measuring chamber, instrumentalities for advancing cut fish through said tunnel and out of said discharge opening and into said measuring chamber while the tunnel opening and the chamber are in registration, and means for altering the shape and size of said tunnel discharge opening yto keep the opening in registration with said moving measuring chamber during the nlling of the chamber and the movement of the tunnel.

6. A fish canning machine, compr-Ising a feeding tunnel having an outer fixed part and an inner oscillating feeding part having opposed side walls and a bottom supporting wall and a discharge end opening, instrumentalities for advancing cut fish between said tunnel side walls and out of said discharge opening, a cutter mounted adjacent the discharge opening of said tunnel, and means for bodily moving the oscillating part of said tunnel to carry its side walls and bottom wall horizontally toward and the fish contained therein against said cutter to segregate the fish remaining between the tunnel walls from the charge of fish which has passed through said discharge opening, and means for placing said charge of fish into a can.

7. A fish canning machine, comprising an oscillating feeding tunnel horizontally arranged and having opposed side walls and a fish-supporting bottom and discharge end opening, instrumentalities for advancing cut fish between said tunnel side walls and out of said discharge opening, a cutter mounted adjacent the discharge opening of said tunnel, means for bodily moving said tunnel to carry its side and bottom walls toward and the fish supported therein against said cutter Ito segregate the fish remaining between the tunnel walls from the charge of fish which has passed through said discharge opening, and means associated with one of said tunnel walls for backing up the fish mass against the cutter during the cutting operation, and means for placing said charge of fish into a can.

8. A fish canning machine, comprising an oscillating feeding tunnel horizontally arranged and oscillatable and having opposed side walls and a fish-supporting bottom and a discharge end opening, instrumentalities for advancing cut fish between said tunnel side walls and along said bottom and out of said discharge opening, a cutter mounted adjacent the discharge opening of said tunnel, and means for presenting the fish to said cutter by bodily moving said tunnel walls so that one wall backs up and crowds the fish the fish mass, and means for placing said charge of fish into a can.

9. A fish canning machine, comprising an oscillating feeding tunnel horizontally arranged and having opposed side walls and a fish-supporting bottom and a discharge end opening, fork instrumentalities carried on a said side wall and operating through a slot in the wall for advancing` cut fish between the tunnel walls and out of said discharge opening, a cutter mounted adjacent the discharge opening of said tunnel, and

means for bodily moving said tunnel to move its side walls and the nsh supported therebetween toward saidvcutter, the side wall opposite the said fork instrumentalities forcing the fish mass against said cutter to enect segregation of a charge of fish from said fish mass, and means for placing said charge of fish into a can.

l0. A fish canning machine, comprising an oscillating feeding tunnel having opposed side walls and a discharge end opening, a turret rotatively disposed adjacent the discharge end of said tunnel, a plurality of measuring chambers carried by said turret, instrumentalities for advancing cut 5 and horizontally movable adjacent the discharge end of said tunnel, a plurality of measuring 20 chambers carried by said turret, instrumentalities for advancing cut fish between said tunnel walls and out of said discharge opening and into a said measuring chamber during the rotation of said turret, means for bodily moving said tunnel 25 to move with the walls of a moving measuring chamber while the fish is passing through said discharge opening and into said measuring chamber, and a cutter against which the fish is carried by said tunnel for separating the fish 30 charge in said measuring chamber from the fish mass remaining in said tunnel.

l2. A sh canning machine, comprising an oscillating feeding tunnel having opposed side walls and a discharge end opening, a turret ro- 35 tatively disposed adjacent the discharge end of said tunnel, feeding devices for conveying empty cans in said turret, a plurality of measuring chambers carried by said turret, instrumentalities for advancing cut fish between said tunnel 40 walls and out of said discharge opening and into a said measuring chamber during the rotation of said turret, means for bodily moving said tunnel to move its side walls in alignment with the Walls of a moving measuring chamber while the 45 fish is passing through said discharge opening and into said measuring chamber, a cutter for separating the fish charge in said measuring chamber from the fish mass remaining in said tunnel, and means for transferring the separated 50 fish charge from said measuring chamber into a can while carried by said turret.

13. In a fish canning machine, the combination of a stationary feeding tunnel, a movable feeding tunnel having a discharge opening at 55 one end, a turret rotatively disposed adjacent the discharge end of said movable tunnel, a plurality of measuring chambers carried by said turret, means for bodily moving the said movable tunnel to move its discharge opening in registration with so a said measuring chamber and for maintaining registration during a filling operation, and instrumentalities for advancing cut fish thrdugh said tunnels and out of said discharge opening and into said measuring chamber while the tune5 nel opening and the chamber are in registration.

14. A fish canning machine comprising in combination a stationary feeding tunnel for fish, a movable feeding tlmnel hinged to said stationary tunnel and having a discharge opening at its un- 70 hinged end, a measuring chamber, means for moving said chamber past the discharge end of said movable tunnel, means for moving said movable tunnel on its hinge to cause its discharge end to move in registration with said measuring 15 chamber during a part of its travel, and instrumentalities for transferring a charge of sh during such registration from said movable tunnel through its discharge opening and into said measuring chamber.

15. A fish canning machine comprising in combination a stationary feeding tunnel for iish, a

f ing a part of its travel, means for maintaining a closed connection between said movable tunnel during such hinging movement, and instrumentalities for transferring a charge of fish during such registration from said movable tunnel through its discharge opening and into said measuring chamber.

16. A Vfish canning machine, comprising an oscillating feeding tunnel having opposed side walls and a discharge end openingl one of said walls having a sliding member located therein, a

turret rotatably disposed adjacent the discharge end of said tunnel, a plurality of measuring chambers carried by said turret, instrumentalities for advancing cut fish between said tunnel walls and out of said discharge opening and into a said measuring chamber during the rotation of said turret, means for oscillating said tunnel bodily to move its side walls in alignment with the walls of a moving measuring chamber during discharging of fish from said discharge opening, and means for moving said sliding wall member to maintain closed connection between said tunmovable with the turret during such delivery of 20 fish, and a knife against which the fish is carried by the movement of the tunnel and the turret for the severing of the charge of fish from the iish in said tunnel.

WALTER E. ROONEY. 

